The Hindu : BMP gets machine to clean septic pits

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 23, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

BMP gets machine to clean septic pits

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE April 22. The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) has started mechanised cleaning of toilet pits (septic tanks) in areas that do not have underground drainage (UGD) lines.

The Mayor, C.M.Nagaraj, launched the service by unveiling a trailer-mounted sewer-cleaning machine in Kadugondanahalli here on Tuesday. This service aims at putting an end to manual removal of night soil, which is prevalent in newly added areas, where underground drainage (UGD) connections are yet to be given.

The machine, called "Vacuum Loader" or "High Power Suction and Discharge Unit", will initially blow some air and water into the septic tank, churn the sediments, and create a slurry, according to the BMP Chief Health Officer, Jayachandra Rao.

Then, on applying the suction mode, the machine sucks the slurry within a few minutes. It is similar to the machines employed by the BWSSB to clear choked manholes.

The BMP has bought the machine from Cam Avida at a cost of Rs. 4.5 lakh. It will be used at Kadugondanahalli on an experimental basis. It has a capacity of sucking over 3,000 litres of waste from a seven-foot deep tank within three minutes.

Introducing the machine, the Mayor said the service would be extended to other zones in the City. Besides helping in ending the manual cleaning of human waste, the machine would prevent the outbreak and spread of epidemics in the City, the Mayor said. The BMP would charge a nominal fee from citizens, who want to utilise the service.

According to an estimate, the City has 25,000 such pits and thousands of people are engaged in cleaning them. Every time a tank is full, residents summon cleaning boys who work in unhygienic conditions.

The BMP has tied up with the City-based Karnataka Safai Karmachari Vedike for use and maintenance of the machines. The waste removed by the machines will be disposed of at the treatment plant of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) on Mysore Road. Citizens interested in availing services of the machine can call 2868062 or 2221281.

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